LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – Detectives with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office have almost completed their investigation in the Lumberton dog mauling case. The next step is for detectives to meet with the District Attorney’s Office and have prosecutors review the case. At that time, the DA’s office will decide if any charges will be filed, according to Robeson County Sheriff Ken Sealey.
Talen West, 7, died after a pit bull attacked him and his brother in late January outside their home in Lumberton. Sheriff Ken Sealey also told News13 Monday the Department of Social Services was notified after the boy’s death. Sealey said it’s standard procedure for DSS to be notified when a child is hurt or dies. He could not comment on any specifics of the agency’s involvement.
Robeson County Sheriff’s Office detectives found Talen unresponsive with severe puncture wounds on his body when they were called to the home of the attack the morning of January 24. Talen and his brother, also attacked by the pit bull, were taken to Southeastern Medical Center Emergency Department where Talen died. His brother Jaylen was injured in his lower body by the dog. The family members said the boys played in the woods behind their home all of the time, and this is something they never expected.
A preliminary exam indicated the dog that killed Talen had a severe case of heart worms, and the exhaustion from the attack is what likely killed the dog.
Investigators could not give an exact date of when they expect their investigation to conclude and be handed over to the District Attorney.
